Religious_policy Second_Bulgarian_Empire

the patriarchal cathedral of holy ascension of god in tarnovo seat of bulgarian orthodox church during second empire. part of larger complex accommodated patriarch.

following liberation of country, recognition of imperial title of monarch , restoration of bulgarian patriarchate became priority of bulgarian foreign policy. continuous state of war against byzantine empire urged bulgarian rulers turn papacy. in correspondence pope innocent iii, kaloyan (r. 1197–1207) demanded imperial title , patriarchate, basing claims on heritage of first bulgarian empire. in return, kaloyan promised accept papal suzerainty on bulgarian church. union between bulgaria , rome formalized on 7 october 1205, when kaloyan crowned king papal legate , archbishop basil of tarnovo proclaimed primate. in letter pope, basil styled himself patriarch, against innocent iii did not argue. boris (r. 852–889) 3 centuries earlier, kaloyan pursued strictly political agenda in negotiations papacy, without sincere intentions convert roman catholicism. union rome lasted until 1235 , did not affect bulgarian church, continued practices of eastern orthodox canons , rites.

the ambition of bulgaria become religious centre of orthodox world had prominent place in second empire s state doctrine. after fall of constantinople knights of fourth crusade in 1204, tarnovo became time main centre of orthodoxy. bulgarian emperors zealously collecting relics of christian saints boost prestige of capital. official recognition of restored bulgarian patriarchate @ council of lampsacus in 1235 major step in direction , gave rise concept of tarnovo second constantinople . patriarchate vigorously opposed papal initiative reunite orthodox church rome; criticized patriarchate of constantinople , byzantine emperor apparent willingness make concessions @ second council of lyon in 1272–74. patriarch ignatius called pillar of orthodoxy . envoys sent patriarch of jerusalem negotiate anti-byzantine alliance, included other 2 eastern patriarchs, mission achieved nothing.

disputes patriarchate of constantinople on legitimacy of bulgarian patriarchate intensified in 14th century. in 1355, ecumenical patriarch callistus tried assert supremacy on bulgarian church , claimed under provisions of council of lampsacus remained subordinated , had pay annual tribute constantinople. these claims not supported authentic documents , bulgarian religious authorities ignored them.

the structure of bulgarian patriarchate followed traditions of first empire. head of church patriarch of bulgaria, member of state council (sinklit) , @ times regent. patriarch assisted synod comprising bishops, high-ranking clerics, , representatives of secular authorities. bulgarian church strictly followed official state policy—patriarch joachim iii executed treason because of suspected links mongols. territorial extent of bulgarian patriarchate varied according territorial changes. @ height under reign of ivan asen ii (r. 1218–41), consisted of 14 dioceses; preslav, cherven, lovech, sofia, ovech, drastar, vidin, serres, philippi, messembria, braničevo, belgrade, niš, , velbazhd; , sees of tarnovo , ohrid.